Monday, June 4, 2012

I was invited for lunch at La Mar Cebicheria. The restaurant is owned by Chef Gaston Acurio, who also owns other restaurants in different parts of the World.

Many consider him the ambassador of Peruvian cuisine. In addition to developing successful restaurants, Chef Acurio has a weekly program on TV called Peru Culinary Adventure and has also founded a cooking school in Peru.

I was fortunate to meet his executive Chef Victoriano Lopez. I have been received marvelously and have been served with different dishes to taste. Believe me, this place really deserves the title of sophisticated restaurant. The dishes are super chic, authentic flavors are served very elegantly and with a modern style.

Often times, when I go to watch a movie rated as excellent, I end up a bit disillusioned. When someone talks so much about a movie, you go with a lot more expectations.

Knowing the history of this restaurant, I feared that this actually would happen. In this case, however, the exquisite food and excellent service actually exceeded my expectations.

This restaurant is highly recommended for all lovers of Peruvian cuisine or for those interested in discovering it.

Chef Victoriano Lopez shared with us that in Lima, there are many Cebiche restaurants. During the summer season, you can find all types of seafood, marinated with lemon juice, salt and a variety of ingredients mixed in a bowl of super fresh flavors.

At La Mar, they were extremely generous and they have also shared with us a recipe of classic cebiche with one of New York´s most favored fishes: the Fluke. (In Peru there is a similar fish called lenguado). According to Victoriano, its translucence and tenderness make it a wonderful vehicle for the refreshing and simple flavors of limejuice, cilantro, red onion and “aji”.

Thank you very much Victoriano and everybody at La Mar for sharing this tempting recipe with all the readers of Latin Food Lovers!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I have recently spent some wonderful days with a group of bloggers selected to attend the first LATISM retreat in Washington, DC. I am very grateful for having been selected as on of the 70 Topblogueras (based on influence, traffic and content quality). This unforgettable event also included a meeting at the White House.

I wanted to thank the selection committee and everyone at LATISM, who allowed this historic event to take place.

I must confess I would have never believed that my culinary journey would eventually lead me to the White House. I have started my blog to express my passion for the cuisine world and to teach our culture, tradition and history through recipes, ingredients and flavors.

The fact that I was invited to the White House made me think of my experiences as an immigrant over the years. The early times were quite hard for me.

We came to this land 7 years ago on working visa (H1), with great enthusiasm, passion and eagerness to find new horizons and opportunities.

And, trust me, it hasn´t been easy to get a resident visa (green card). But with effort, honesty and perseverance it is always possible to make it.

The White House has opened its doors to us and has made me feel I was at home.

We were hosted by a panel of people where everyone spoke Spanish. With all honesty, I have felt a huge commitment towards the Latino community.

The list of candid officers included:

Julie Rodriguez (Associate Director, Office of Public Engagement)

Cecilia Muñoz (Assistant to the President and Director of Domestic Policy)

Liz Fowler (Special Assistant to the President, National Economic Council)

Alejandra Ceja (Chief of Staff, office of the Under Secretary, Department of Education)

Several important issues and topics were addressed, including education, health and immigration.

What I wanted to stress the most is what concerns LatinFoodLovers and its followers. In particular, the Administration’s program against hunger and obesity, which was presented by Lisa Pino.

There are bad news and good ones.

The bad news related to ever more alarming statistics.

Childhood obesity in the Hispanic population is growing faster than other segments of the population. Almost two in five Hispanic children between the ages of 2-19, are overweight or obese. Obesity in preschool children is higher than that found in children of similar age African-American and Anglo-Saxon.

40% of Latino children are either obese or overweight and one third of the population of Latino families are threatened by hunger.

The good news is that the Administration is committed to combat these problems and there are different food and nutrition education programs.

Here we enumerate some of them, which can found online.

-SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)The program is available to nearly anyone with little income and few resources who qualifies. Participating households receive monthly benefit allotments in the form of electronic debit cards.

-The NSLP (National School Lunch Program) provides children with nutritionally balanced lunches free or at low cost, every day of the school calendar. The low cost or free lunches are based on the income of each family.

-Food Program or CACFP (-Food Program Day Care for Children and Adults) Helps child care providers and adult and after-school programs, serve refreshments (snacks) and healthy meals as a regular part of daily care.

-The SFSP (Summer Food Service Program Summer) provides meals to students during the vacation months when they have no access to lunch or breakfast at school.

-WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children)

Provides a voucher or coupon. It is used to buy food that will help you and their children to eat healthy.

- WIC FMNP (WIC Program Farmers' Market)

The program provides coupons that you can use at farmers markets or fruit stands.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

IMUSA, a brand of utensils designed especially around the needs of the Latino kitchen, has surprised me with an incredible gift.

The other day when I have arrived home, I saw a giant box in the mail. Can you believe they sent me a gift, a digital electric pressure cooker? And just in time for Mother's Day!

Not only that, they have also sent an extra one to give away to a lucky reader of Latin Food Lovers.

I love to buy any kitchen utensils that helps me cook better (and faster!). Doesn’t it look just beautiful? Really, I do not know yet where will I keep it. I have a tiny kitchen and need to find a place soon before my husband decides to move!

I must admit I typically use a covered casserole or pan, the way my grandmother taught me.

When cooking large pieces of meat, I use the braising technique. First, I brown the meat for a few minutes in fat (to increment the flavor) and then proceed to cook over low heat on covered containers (to tenderize the meat). You can read a whole explanation of this process in the book: “On Food and cooking”, by food scientist Harold Mc Gee)

After this receiving the IMUSA pressure cooker acquisition I am eager to try my recipes using all of its features.

It is not only a pressure cooker, it also works as a steamer and digital rice cooker. It also has a function setting for browning and can keep preparations hot.

One of the main reasons why I want to try it is because I feel good about programming for a specific time. That way we can always have the food ready when visits arrive!

Giveaway

In this mother´s day a lucky reader will win an electric pressure cooker exactly like mine (see picture). It is ideal for a person who loves to cook and likes to make quicker preparations.

In order to be eligible you must meet these requirements:

1) Be over 18 years

2) Legal resident of USA. No boxes P.O

3) Leave a message with your name and email address for contact purposes (ldavidzonny@yahoo.com).

Saturday, May 5, 2012

In order to enjoy a wonderful Cinco de Mayo with friends and family, I have prepared a very light and refreshing margarita.

Actually, I'm not a big fan of high-alcohol content drinks. Many times these are much more ¨dangerous¨ because they seem more like a juice where the alcohol content is barely felt, but ultimately they can leave us a little dizzy. Tip: Do not thinkit is simply water!

To make a good passion-fruit margarita, I have added a bit at the time to find the optimum point. If you are a fan of drinks in which alcohol is more intense, and you like so much tequila that you can drink it alone, I recommend that you increase the amount of tequila for this drink. Otherwise you will be disappointed.

The idea that Cinco de Mayo pass without a shot seemed somewhat boring. The May 5th is a very important date in Mexican history. This recipe is super simple and refreshing for you to enjoy during the weekend.

Don't miss this post !

About Me

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Uchi became a Pastry Chef at FCI (French Culinary Institute New York) and was awared Les Dame D´Escoffier NYC 2010. She is also a food writer and dessert guide at About.com, a digital property of The New York Times Co. Chef Uchi is the founder of Lola Mora Catering NYC and writes a colum for The Huffington Post